Global Rescue Project is a nonprofit organization established to help end human slavery in Ghana, West Africa as well as in other parts of the world. Their mission is to bring hope to the children enslaved who are suffering daily with life-threatening duties in Ghana's fishing industry. With the mentality that believes "no need is too small and no voice too quiet to be heard," GRP devotes the time and energy to educate, advocate, and eliminate human slavery and poverty. Here, AFM takes a look at the issues and the ways GRP helps these kids, with insight from Karen Doerflein, the Director of Fundraising & Corporate Giving.
Global Rescue Project is an organization that cares about children, no matter where they were born or what color their skin is. Karen Doerflein, the Director of Fundraising & Corporate Giving, came to work with Global Rescue Project through her belief that every life is worth celebrating, and every life should be cherished. Supporting GRP will bring light and hope to those living in darkness.
Protecting the victims of human trafficking is critical to GRP, and they are determined to raise awareness in order to help save these children's lives. How does this slavery entrapment work? Children are sold by their parents in exchange for the false promise of a better life. Instead, children are working in dangerous conditions in the world's largest man-made lake called Lake Volta in Ghana. These child laborers are not properly clothed and are extremely malnourished, with no access to health care or education while they continue to grow in violent conditions. With regular beatings and 16-hour work days in a lake filled with parasites, crocodiles, and electric eels, it is no shock that these children witness their friends’ and siblings’ deaths.
However, Global Rescue Project has been combatting this system of slavery. Teams of volunteers approach the masters of the child slaves on canoes and try to communicate with them. If the fisherman is willing to give up his slaves after some time of negotiations, the children go with the rescue team. Building relationships with the master fishermen leads to a hope for growth and an understanding of child labor laws so the masters do not seek to continue the cycle. Next, the rehabilitation team leads rescuers to search for the families of these children while nourishing them back to health. It takes an estimated $960 to rescue five children from Lake Volta, and around $1,080 for post-rescue care in the rehabilitation center for three months. Children receive the help they deserve with food, clothing, counseling services, medical screening and treatment, school supplies and education. The following is a photograph of two siblings after a few months at the rehabilitation center.
Global Rescue Project will be hosting a benefit concert to support their mission of saving these kids.
On April 19, GRP will be at Rockbar, Inc. in Scottsdale for an incredibly fun night. "Rock the Cause" is a benefit concert for these kids; with a $10 donation at the door, the event will be catered by Pita Jungle and will feature raffle and auction items all evening. These priceless items include signed guitars by both Alice Cooper and John Rich, exquisite artwork, Tombstone Resort weekend getaway tickets, Swarovski crystal jewelry, and more. This fundraiser event will help save many children from suffering any longer wading in the trenches of Lake Volta.
For more information, please visit www.globalrescueproject.org.
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